The role of the Sheriffs  

There are two Sheriffs that are elected to support the Lord Mayor each year, advising and accompanying them on matters that are important to the City as well as hosting visiting dignitaries. A crucial part of the role is also to look after the welfare of the Judges at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) within the City and make sure that the courts' business runs smoothly. It's an office that dates back to the seventh century, marking it out as the oldest in the City of London, and a great privilege to hold. 

Read more about the role of the Sheriffs  

Justice for all 

During this time, I have been reflecting on my own areas of focus, and believe the importance of justice is a prudent theme, as a core value within our society. After all, the two Sheriffs of London spend their elected year living and working at the Old Bailey, the UK's central criminal court, crowned by a glittering figure of Justice.

As it happens, 2025 also marks the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the 1225 version of Magna Carta, which enshrined the principle that no one, not even the monarch and their government is above the law.

Whilst I am a fund manager rather than a lawyer, the law is a profession I have spent my life living adjacent to. My wife, Elspeth, is a lawyer, as is my sister and my cousin. The confines of the law, also, naturally work in tandem with delivering the best of all City business, not to mention the wider society of which we are all members.

Recent events, as well as my nomination have found me ruminating on what justice actually means to us as a community. The phrase "justice for all" has been employed across the centuries, entreating us to be our best and do our best by one another. It's as much an entreaty to the authorities as to individuals, to remember their duty to society. When we break it down, I believe that both practically and ideologically its meaning can be best addressed in three parts:  

• Justice for the accused  

• Justice for survivors  

• Justice for prison leavers 

A City of justice

I don't raise these topics to suggest that the City can solve them all, but I do believe that if we all do something then a lot can be achieved, and the City and its community are in a powerful collective position to raise awareness and drive change. 

Philosophically, I believe in mercy and grace. Society and humanity need that to live a healthy life, otherwise we're constantly aggrieved. Flowing out of that you get forgiveness and redemption, and hopefully you also get more kindness, understanding and better outcomes. 

In financial services we understand redemption in terms of bonds - when the term is served and the principal repaid, it matures and moves on - hopefully, having become richer in the process. Broadly speaking, it's a principle that works, perhaps it has greater application?